Nicholas Sparks, for better or for worse, is a prolific writer about love – familial (which is often the case) and unrequited love (which is often the case). So is his new film, “The Best of Me” one of the best in Sparks’ oeuvre? Or is it horrible? I sat down with the author to find out if he envisions a project cinematically while writing it, how is the movie compared to his novel, and how he’s the current king of love! Take a look at my fun but short (they’re running out of time!) interview.

Official “The Best of Me” Synopsis

Based on the bestselling novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks, The Best of Me tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend. Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they've never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even more serious threats today. Spanning decades, this epic love story captures the enduring power of our first true love, and the wrenching choices we face when confronted with elusive second chances. . (c) Relativity

“Kill the Messenger” arrives in theaters near you but is this film worthy of Jeremy Renner’s performance? Here’s what I can tell you. The movie is scary! Why? Because it happened in real life! Take a look at my review!

Official “Kill the Messenger” Synopsis

Two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner ("The Bourne Legacy") leads an all-star cast in a dramatic thriller based on the remarkable true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb. Webb stumbles onto a story which leads to the shady origins of the men who started the crack epidemic on the nation's streets...and further alleges that the CIA was aware of major dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S., and using the profits to arm rebels fighting in Nicaragua. Despite warnings from drug kingpins and CIA operatives to stop his investigation, Webb keeps digging to uncover a conspiracy with explosive implications. His journey takes him from the prisons of California to the villages of Nicaragua to the highest corridors of power in Washington, D.C. - and draws the kind of attention that threatens not just his career, but his family and his life. (c) Focus

Late Post: From "Gone Girl" to "The Judge," See My Latest Movie Reviews

Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 06:39 PMPosted by Manny

Hi guys, so sorry for my late posts! I was in the Philippines for the last week and a half and I've been busy reconnecting with family and friends that I didn't have time to post. Sorry Please forgive me!

But better late than never, and there they are. My movie reviews of "Gone Girl," "The Good Lie," and "The Judge." Coming up, how many kisses does "Kill the Messenger" get? I'll have your answer tomorrow! But for now, let's settle for Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, and Robert Downey Jr. Jeremy Renner can wait HA!

So long Ellen, hello NPH! Veteran stage and screen actor will host the 87th Oscars according to show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron on Sunday, February 22, 2015. He dances, he sings, and perhaps, he can take better selfies than Ellen!

Here's the rest of the press release:

"We are thrilled to have Neil host the Oscars," said Zadan and Meron. "We have known him his entire adult life, and we have watched him explode as a great performer in feature films, television and stage. To work with him on the Oscars is the perfect storm, all of his resources and talent coming together on a global stage."

“It is truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host this year’s Academy Awards. I grew up watching the Oscars and was always in such awe of some of the greats who hosted the show,” said Harris. “To be asked to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres, and everyone else who had the great fortune of hosting is a bucket list dream come true.”

“We share Craig and Neil’s excitement in welcoming the incredibly talented Neil Patrick Harris,” said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy President. “He is the consummate entertainer. Neil’s distinctive charm and showmanship make him the ideal host to honor the Oscar legacy and ensure we all enjoy another unforgettable celebration.”

“Neil is a terrific actor, singer, risk-taker and collaborator,” said Dawn Hudson, Academy CEO. “We can't wait to see the show that he and Craig and Neil create together.”

“Neil Patrick Harris is highly energetic and a definitive entertainer,” said Paul Lee. “We are thrilled to have him as our 2015 Oscar host.”

A triple-threat performer, Harris has enjoyed a successful career in entertainment. He can currently be seen starring opposite Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike in David Fincher’s critically-acclaimed feature film, “Gone Girl.” Harris garnered multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe award nominations for his role as Barney Stinson on the hit television series, “How I Met Your Mother,” and he won an Emmy for his guest-starring role on “Glee” in 2010. He also recently starred in the title role of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” on Broadway, earning the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Harris served as host of the 61st and 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as the 63rd, 65th, 66th and 67th Tony Awards, for which he won four Emmys. Most recently, Harris added the title of author to his list of accomplishments with the release of his autobiography from Crown Publishing, “Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography.”

The last two Oscars telecasts, which were produced by Zadan and Meron, received a major spike in the ratings. The 86th Oscars was TV’s most-watched entertainment event in 10 years and attracted the biggest viewership since 2000, with more than 45 million viewers. The show resulted in dramatic gains in younger demos and social media conversation, with more than one billion impressions generated on Twitter and 25 million interactions happening on Facebook on Oscar Sunday. Additionally, the star-studded “selfie” became the most retweeted photo of all time with 32.8 million views.

The Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 4 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Jeremy Renner Talks About "Kill the Messenger!" He's As Smart and Gripping As the Movie!

Thursday, October 2, 2014, 02:23 AMPosted by Manny

Jeremy Renner is mesmerizing and totally unforgettable in the upcoming movie “Kill the Messenger.” He plays the true-life character, Gary Webb, the San Jose Mercury News reporter who exposes the CIA’s role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and then importing cocaine into the mean streets of California.

When critics use the word gripping, they were probably thinking of “Kill the Messenger.”

Take a look at my interview with the actor who also moonlighted as producer in the film. What inspired him to do the movie, and wait ‘til you see his answer if we are still having war on drugs.

Official “Kill the Messenger” Synopsis

Two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner ("The Bourne Legacy") leads an all-star cast in a dramatic thriller based on the remarkable true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb. Webb stumbles onto a story which leads to the shady origins of the men who started the crack epidemic on the nation's streets...and further alleges that the CIA was aware of major dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S., and using the profits to arm rebels fighting in Nicaragua. Despite warnings from drug kingpins and CIA operatives to stop his investigation, Webb keeps digging to uncover a conspiracy with explosive implications. His journey takes him from the prisons of California to the villages of Nicaragua to the highest corridors of power in Washington, D.C. - and draws the kind of attention that threatens not just his career, but his family and his life. (c) Focus